Friday Dinner Novels & Stories

“It’s my squirtle! He wants to go eat dinner with us! He wants chicken nuggets too.” It’s our tradition. We always go to the diner on Fridays, and Hailey seems to expect it now too. This would be Hailey's last meal with Monica. I can allow that. “I guess we should go get him some nuggets then,” I smiled at my daughter.

I don’t know how long I sat at my desk writing my reply, but before I even knew it, Shirley was knocking on my bedroom door to call me down for dinner. I stretched my arms above my head, wiggling my fingers to release the tension from writing so furiously for so long. Then I climbed out of my chair, leaving my room and heading downstairs to the kitchen for dinner. It was a Thursday, and on Thursdays, we ate in the kitchen at the counter, and we always had pizza. Most people always had pizza on Fridays, but Jack insisted Thursday was the better pizza day, because since everyone else did it on Fridays, it was less busy at the pizzeria on Thursdays.

I couldn't help but watch her, seeing the amount of pure joy and love on her face meant everything to me, showed me just how right we are to do this together. I thought I loved her before, but in that moment, the love was something so much more. "Hey, you awake there?" I snapped out of my thoughts to see Freya standing in front of me while I sat on the couch. "Sorry, lost in thought." I grabbed her hand to pull her down but she pulled back, nudging me to stand up. "We need to get dressed for our last Friday night dinner before the move, come on silly." Her smile was wide but a bit sorrowful at the words she spoke. Our last Friday night, Italian food, family dinner. I tilted me head while loo

she said to me. “Okay,” I shrugged. I didn’t care about Carl, mom had so many guy friends, it was hard to keep track. I wanted to direct my mom’s attention to something far more important, so I tugged on her dress and said, “Mom, guess what? It’s Friday today,” “I know it’s Friday. That’s why I’m all dressed up. Carl and I are going to watch a show on Broadway and maybe get some dinner after that,” she replied as she straightened her long velvet dress.

Tarrin faked a cough again and said, “I’d rather you be at the house tonight, it IS FRIDAY, you know, and I will need you to take Ms. Parks home once she wraps up her work.” Linux turned and nodded, remembering what would happen tonight, “Oh uh, yeah, Friday night. I almost forgot, sorry.” Josey looked between the two and asked, “What’s so special about Friday?” Tarrin quickly thought of an answer, “It’s date night,” he responded before coughing and correcting himself quickly, “I mean, movie night for Linux and me.” Linux nodded quickly in agreement and responded playfully, “Yeah, we watch movies, eat snacks, and wear face masks while talking about boys, er, I mean girls, we talk about WOMEN

Ophelia snapped. “I only have one granddaughter and it is not May, not with the way she’s behaving like a tramp, like a mother like that”. “Oh, you did not just say that”. “Enough!!”Father snaps “ We are drawing attention to ourselves, none of you will disgrace me tonight, not even you Mother, I organized this dinner to celebrate my wins and not open the door for mockery by my extended families, are we clear?!”. “Yes”, we all grumbled. “Good, Now let’s get this dinner over with”. Indeed let’s get this done once and for all.

Sam sat back and watched as the men of the club roared their agreement, while the women clapped. Leaning down, Drake kissed her on the cheek as Francesca and Lucy appeared at her side. They helped her stand and led her to the kitchen. It was Saturday and they always had a family style dinner. The men would use the massive grills out back and the women would make the fixings in the kitchen.

They both nod and I end the call. I leave my room and go down the stairs, entering the living room. "I need help choosing a dress," she says, analyzing her phone screen. "A dress?" I approach her. "We'll be having dinner at Edgar's house on Friday." "What?" I looked at her frustrated. "He's a fun guy. I want Agatha and Alex to get used to him." "Why should they get used to him?" I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows. "Because we're going to live with him."

"Mia. Hi, Love. How was work?" "Fine. We were pretty busy." "Well, that's Friday for you." I place my bag on a counter island stool and sit on the seat beside it. "What's for dinner?" "Got a cottage pie in the oven and green beans on the stove," Dad says. "Should be ready in about five minutes." "Speaking of dinner." Mom announces, "It turns out Cathy can't do the Society dinner at her house next week, so I told everyone we would do it here tomorrow."

These were the moments I live for—simple, unfiltered and filled with the kind of warmth nothing else could buy. They never fail to make my day. No matter what happens, coming home to them? Watching them? Loving them? Always has a way of easing the heaviness in my heart and lighting the darkness that has surrounded me since Chloe died. We pull into my parents’ driveway, the familiar sight of the big house instantly easing the knots in my shoulders. Fridays meant dinner. It’s been a tradition since I can remember. It doesn’t matter what you are doing or where you are, Friday dinners are a must.